Venetian blind



April 22, 1930. v H. J. MAcKlN VENETIAN lBLIND Filed Feb. 5, V192'? 'o' Sheets-,Sheet l April 22, 1930. H. J. MAcKlN 1,755,448

VENETIAN BLIND FileA Feb. 5, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 y JQ fifa/frega" H- .J. MACKIN VENETIAN BLIND April 22, 1930.

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fild Feb. 5, 1927 www i Patented Apr. 22, 1930v UNITED STATES HENRY J. 'MACKIN,= or CHICAGO, rumors VENETIAN BLIND Application led February, 1927. Serial No.166,092.

This invention relates to a shade, and particularly to a shade of the type commonly called a Venetian blind. It has for one object to provide ashade which may be raised or lowered and in which an automatic locking device is provided so that the shade is automatically locked in any selective position to which it is moved. Another object is to provide positive and automatic means, in a shade of the type mentioned, whereby the shade will be `raised or lowered equally throughout its Width. Another object is to provide a shade of the Venetian type in which the slats are not permanently attached to the structure or to each other, and in which they can be readily removed without movement or alteration of the main assembly.

in the specification and claims.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammaticallyin the accompanying drawings, in lwhich Figure 1 is a side elevation;

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse cross-section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 f

Figure Sis a horizontal cross-section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a detailed view of the automatic locking mechanism shown in elevation on an enlarged scale;

Figure 5 is a vertical cross-section taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4;'

Figure 6 is\a horizontal cross-section taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 1,'on an enlarged scale;

Figure 7 is a horizontal cross-section taken on line 7 7 of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical cross-v ing the friction engaging element which is positioned at the top of the blind.

Like .parts are designated by like characf ters throughout. v A is a window frame in which a window A1 may be positioned. B is a channel partially covered on its outer face as at 1, and provided With outwardly extending flanges B2 which bound a slot B3. C is a bearing member held by a pin C1 which is positioned in the anges B2. 'the bearing member C' and at its other end in the bearing member C3. C4 is a pulley mounted on the shaft C2.

. One of the channel members B is mounted, preferably vertically, on each side of the Window frame. One of the bearing members just described is mounted inside of each channel adjacent its lower end.

D is a bearing member mounted in the C2 is a shaft held at one end in i channel member B adjacent its upper end,

held in position therein by pins or bolts D1.

.The bearing member is provided with an enlarged end D2 within which ball bearings D3 may be positioned. E is a shaft journaled in the bearing portion D, carrying at its outer enda bushing E1 from which a sprocket wheel E2 is fixed, and being attached at its inner end to an enlarged shaft portion E3. @ne of such bearings, shafts and sprocket wheels is mounted at each end of the blind, each of the Wheels lying within one of the channels. is a shaft member, preferably hollow, provided at` each end with slots E5 within which pins E6 mounted in the shaft sections E3 may extend.

F is a friction memberjormed in a general- 1y semi-circular shape, provided at each end with an extension F1 F2. F3 is a similar member provided with corresponding extensions F4 F5. ably joined in adjustable position by a screw Ff.i The members F F3, a pair at each side of the blind, are positioned about the bearing portions D2 and engage them witha greater or less friction, de nding upon` the adjustment of the screws FB. F7 F7 are slat members, eachv of which is attached at each of its ends to the friction members F Fs by means of SQIQWS F8- F" is a The extensions F1 F4 are prefer-l shield member engaging each of the slat members F7 and extending substantially from end to end of the composite shaft E3 E2, and serving to unite slats .d 7 and to form in effect with them a section upon a slat member. A

G G are Slat-holding members, preferably tapes, fastened at their upper ends to the composite slat F7 and at their lower ends to the slat H which will be described below. Between adj acently placed tapes G are crosstapes G1.

H is a bottom slat member` extending throughout the width of the blind, and having at each end a. perforation H1 within which is positioned a shaft H2 which carries at its free end a block H3. .H4 is a roller freely mounted upon the shaft H2 so as to rotate thereabout. The tapes G are at their bottom ends fastened to this slat member H.

I is a cord provided at one end with a weight or handle I1, extending upwardly about a pulley I2, passing about the composite slat member F7 and being fastened thereupon to a screw or pin I2. I4 is a similar cord fastened also to the pin I3, passing across the upper surface of the composite slat F7, passing thence downwardly along the cord I and terminating at its lower end in a weight or handle I5.

vJ is a pulley supporting frame mounted on one of the channel members B, preferably adjacent its upper end. J1 is an opening in the channel member B. J2 is a pulley mounted in the frame J. J 2 is a slotin the member B. J 4vis a locking lever provided with an inwardly extending hook part J5, which extends inwardly through the slot J 3 and may engage the sprocket wheel E2 to lock it. The lever J 4 is pivotally supported in the frame It is provided with a smaller bent extension J7. t-s mounting and its proportions are such that when free to move it normally tends to fall into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5. J 2 is a second locking lever pivoted also on the frame member J at the point J 2. It is provided with an upper, laterally bent extension J 1 which may be brought into contact with the portion J7 of the lever J 4. The lever J 2 is provided at its lower end with a loop or eyelet J 11.

K is a. cord fastened at one end to an eyelet K1 fixed on the slat H. It passes through the pulley ring or eyelet K2, which is positioned on the window lframe A. It passes thenceupward alongthe channel member B but out side of it, passing through the eyelet J 11, over. the pulley J 2, and thence downward inside the channel member B, land is fastened vtothe sprocket chain L. This chain L is fastened to the blockHa, asses upward inside of the channel B, over tii A downward 4inside the channel B about the lowei` pulley' or sprocket wheelC, upward,l astened to the bottom of thei identical chain and sprocket and is finallI blockH2.

e upperisprocket Wheel E2,`

wheel assembly is formed on the opposite side of the blind but there is only a single cord K.y The sprocket chain, as shown particularly in Figs. 10 and 11, need not be uniform, several sorts of chains being used in the same assembly.

L1 is a slatiprovided at each end with an extension L2 which normally lies between the flanges B2 of the channel member B. L3 is a rubber or slat cushioning member extending about the end portion L2. L4 is a slat similar to the slat L1 but without the extensions L2. Throughout the verticaLheight of the blind these slats are laid one on each of the crosstapes G1, the slats being alternated so that there is first a slat without end extensions and then a slat with end extensions. This proportion is not ixed and a greater or less number of slats with end extensions might be used.

The use and operatiomof the invention are as follows:

The parts are normally assembled as shown i in Figs. l and 2, and in this position the locking lever J4 lies as shown in full lines in Fig. 5, locking the sprocket wheel Eand thus locking the Composite shaft lf3J E4l against movement and preventing raising or lowering of the blind. When it is desired to ymove the blind either up or down, the cord K is pulled, tension on this cord rotates the lever J 8 into the position shown in dotted lines ifi Fig. 5; this causes a corresponding rotationy of the lever J 2, also to the dotted line position of Fig. 5, and thus unlocks the sprocket wheel E2 and permits movement of the shade. Further pulling of the cord K raises the bottom slat H and raises the blind as a whole. vThe movement either to raise or lower the blind is the same. In each case the cord Kv must be pulledand in each case any pulling tension on the cord unlocks the sprocket wheel. The moment the tension is reduced the locking parts fall automatically into locking position and prevent further movement of the blind.

When it is desired to tilt the slats of the I mer position a reverse movement is given by pulling the cord I.

When the blind is in the raised position, it can normally be lowered only by manipulation of the controlling cords; that'is to say,

by manipulating or pulling -in one .direction or. the otherI on the cord K. The blind can,

however, be raised by hand by merely pushing upward.. The effect-of this upwardpush' is transmitted through the cord K 'and the locking mechanism is operated so as to lock ing and lowering means adapted to hold the blind in any position of vertical adjustment irrespective of the means by which the blind is moved to the position of adjustment and automatic means for'holding the slats of such blind longitudinally7 horizontal at all positions of vertical adjustment of said blind.

3. As a new article of manufacture a blind mounted for verticalv movement, raising and lowering means for such blind and a latching means governed by such raising means and adapted to latch such blind in any position ofvertical adjustment, s'uch ylatching means when in the locking position holding the blind against lowering and free for raising the blind irrespective of the position of such latching means l 4. As a new article of manufacture a blind mounted for vertical movement by direct manipulation of the blind itself, additional v. raising and lower means for such blind and a latching means governed by such raising means'and adapted to latch such blind in any.

position of yvertical adjustment, such latching l means when in the locking position holding the blind against lowering and free for raising the blind irrespective' of the position of such latching means.

5. As' a new article of manufacture a Venetian blind, automatic' means holding said blind free lfor vertical movement, raising vand lowering means for such blind and an automatic latching means governed by such raising means and adapted automatically to latch such blind in any position of vertical adjustment, such latching means when in the latching position holding the blind against lowering and free for raising the blind irrespective of the position of such latching means.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a blind, automatic holding means holding said blind free for vertical movement by direct manipulation of the blind itself, raising and lowering means for such blind and an automatic latching means governed by such raising means and adapted automaticallyy to latch suchblind in any positionof verticaljadjustment, such' latching ineans when in the latching positlon holding the blind against lowering and free for raising the blind irrespective ofthe position of such latching means.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a Venetian blind, automatic holding means for holding the blind free for vertical movement by direct manipulation of the blind itself, raising and lowering means for such blind and an automatic ,latching means governed by such raising means and adapted automatically to lock such blind in any position of vertical adjustment, such latching means when in the latching position holding the blind against lowering and free for raising the blind irrespective of the position of such latching means.

member, intermediate spaced members, means for raising and lowering such blind including means for raising and lowering the lower member, such means including flexible members extending throughout the greatest possible length of such blind and being fastened to such lower member, chains and sprocket wheels for such chains adapted to engage them, said sprocket wheels being located at the top and bottom of such blind assembly, means for moving such chains to raise and to lower the lower member and additional means for automatically latching such sprock- 8. In a blind, an upper member anda lower et wheels in any position against lowering and free for raising.

9. In a blind, an upper member and a lower member, intermediate spaced members, means for raising and lowering such blind including means for raising and lowering the lower member, such means including flexible members extending throughout the greatest possible length of such blind and being fastened to such lower member, chains and sprocket `wheels for such chalns adapted to engage them, said sprocket wheels being located at the top and bottom of such blind assembly, means for movmg such chains to raise and to lower thelower member and additional means for automatically latching such sprocket wheels in any position against lowering and freefor'raising, and automatic, means for malntaimng Asuch blind horizontal at all positions of vcrtical adjustment. 10. ln ablind, an upper member and a lower member, intermediate spaced members. mea-ns for raising and lowering such blind including means for raising and lowering the lower member, such means including flexible members extending throughout the greatest possible length of such blind and being fastenedv tosuch lower member, chains and sprocket wheels for such chains adapted to engage them, said sprocket wheels being lo` Y cated at the top and bottom of such blind assembly, those at the top being joined together so that they rotate in unison, means for moving such chains to raise and to lower the low- 11. 1n a blind, an upper member and a lower member, intermediate spaced members, means for raising and lowering such blind including means for raising and lowering the lower member, such means including Hexible members extending throughout the greatest possible length of such blindand being fastened to such lower member, chains and sprocket wheels for ,such chains adapted to engage them, said sprocket wheels being located at thetop and bottom of such blind assembly, thosek at the top being joined together so that they rotate in unison, means for moving such chains to raise and to lower the lower member and additional means for automatically latching such sprocket wheels in any position against lowering and free for raising, and automatic means for maintaining such blind horizontal at all positions of vertical adjustment.-

12. In combination in a Hexible blind, a plurality of shutter members, iexible means for holding them in position, means for tilting them in unison, means for raising the blind and automatic latching means whereby the blind may be latclied in any adjusted position, such raising means including a plurality of hoisting members joined `for operation in unison, .a single actuating means, a latch adapted to latch such hoisting means and to be unlatched by manipulation of such actuating means -to free the mechanism for hoisting thereafter, such latchbeing automatic and adapted to` move at once to the latching position when the actuating means is not in use, and to free the mechanism for raising movement of the blind at all times.

13. ln a Venetian blind formed of a plurality of slats, flexible members adapted to support such slats in spaced relation, means for raising the blind including a plurality of hoisting' means and a positive connecting means between the two whereby they operate in unison uniformly, actuating means for operating 'such hoisting means and a latch adapted automatically to latch such hoisting means in any position and thereby to latch the blind in any adjusted position, such actuating means being adapted to unlatch said latch at the commencement of the actuating operation, such latch being adapted automatically to assume t-he latching position upon the termination of the actuating operation, and to free the mechanism for raising movement of the blind at all tim'es irrespective of the position of the latch.

14. In combination in a blind, a plurality of imperforate slats, a holding assembly for such slats, including members extending generally lengthwise of such blind, and spaced connecting members between such 'first mentioned members, the slats being supported by such connecting members and `freely removable from them and means for raising and lowering the blind, located outside the limits of the slats and entirely disconnected therefrom, whereby the sla are left intact to preserve their ull strength.

15. In combination in a blind, a plurality ing and lowering the blind, located outside the limits of the slats and entirely disconnected therefrom, whereby the slats are left intact to preserve their full strength.

16. In combination in a blind, a plurality of imperforate slats, a holding assembly for such slats, including supporting parts adapted to carry such slats, the slats being freely removable therefrom without disturbance of the blind as a whole and means or raising and lowering the blind, located outside the limits of the slats and entirely disconnected therefrom, whereby the slats are left intact to preserve their fullA strength.

Signed at Chicago, county of Cook and Sta-te of Illinois.

HENRY J. MACKIN. 

